Pakistan announces 15-member squad for World Cup

LAHORE: Pakistan on Wednesday announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, from February 14 to March 29.

The team was announced by Chief Selector Moin Khan who told reporters that this would be a special World Cup for him.

“After 23 years Pakistan will play the World Cup in Australia after it won the tournament there in 1992,” Khan said.

Misbah-ul-Haq will captain the team which includes Muhammad Hafeez as a true opener along with Ahmed Shahzed. “We selected the squad after thorough consultation… and although no one can give assurances of results, we are hopeful that the team will do well,” said Khan.

Pakistan, placed in Group B, will open its campaign with a highly-charged clash against arch-rivals and defending champions India in Adelaide on February 15 followed by matches against the West Indies, Zimbabwe, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Ireland.

The top four teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the quarter-finals, leading up to the final in Melbourne on March 29.

Paceman Sohail Khan was a surprise inclusion after he took ten wickets in three games in a domestic match in Karachi. The 30-year-old bowler played the last of his five one-day internationals in Zimbabwe in 2011.